Local News Friday 13th January

Friday, 13 January 2023 07:15

Citizens Advice in Somerset says it is getting a higher-than-average number of calls from people saying they can no longer afford to top-up their electricity prepayment meters. A group of disabled people has formed Somerset’s first-ever wheelchair rugby team. Martock Library is to shut for two months for a major upgrade. Two wassailing events take place locally this weekend. Plans have been submitted to build 8 new homes in the village of Hatch Beauchamp...and more

A group of disabled people has formed Somerset’s first-ever wheelchair rugby team. The team will compete in the sport's National League beginning in June against sides from all around England.

Martock Library is to shut for two months for a major upgrade. The library will be closed from Wednesday the 15th of February to Tuesday the 11th of April for the improvements to be carried out.

Two wassailing events take place locally this weekend. The ceremonies, aimed at waking fruit trees from their winter slumber and to scare away evil spirits, ensuring a good harvest, take place at the Bere Cider Company in Aller, near Langport, tomorrow, and in Chard at the community orchard next to Chard Museum on Sunday. Both events start at around 5 pm and if you plan to take part you’re asked to take along some pots, pans, and drums to make some noise and help wake up the trees.

People living near the site of Glastonbury Festival have until the 31st of January to comment on a planning application to make the site permanent for the festival. Since its launch, Glastonbury Festival has operated on temporary licences issued by Mendip District Council, with the current licence ending in 2024.

Plans have been submitted to build 8 new homes in the village of Hatch Beauchamp. A site measuring 1.4 hectares has been identified off Station Road for development. A previous application to build 12 homes on the site in 2019 was turned down

A new head has been appointed to run the region’s ambulance service. Stephen Otter, who was previously the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police has taken on the role of Chair of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

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Wednesday 24th April

Yeovil Town FC have sent a strongly worded letter to the Football Association asking for plans to end FA Cup replays to be dropped. A Somerset woman who's spent the last 32 years living with Hepatitis C, says better support is needed for those affected by the contaminated blood scandal. A new school of musical theatre has opened in Chard...and more.
Tuesday 23rd April

Two teenage boys have admitted animal cruelty after filming themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase at Montacute. Somerset Council could lose around £5 million by selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. Chard, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Ansford are on a list of fifteen places in Somerset where new 20 mph speed limits could soon be introduced...and more.
Monday 22nd April

The parents of a two-week-old baby boy, accused of his murder at Yeovil Hospital, are to stand trial. Protesters have splashed red paint across the front of County Hall in Taunton for a second time. A comedy film about the world of competitive marrow-growing and made in Shepton Mallet has opened in cinemas across the UK...and more.
Friday 19th April

Work starts today building a new eastbound carriageway as part of dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Podimore. A childhood obesity clinic in Somerset has revealed that it is treating children as young as eight months old. Somerset Wildlife Trust has launched a campaign to recruit an army of young people to act as conservation champions...and more.
Thursday 18th April

A Martock man has been jailed after admitting to shining lasers at aircraft flying over Yeovil. Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the TK Maxx store at Babylon Hill. Nearly four hundred people have put their names forward for redundancy at Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 17 April

Three local primary schools have been named on a list of England's top five hundred primary schools. A new co-working space for businesswomen has opened in Wincanton. Urgent repairs are being carried out to Ilminster's new public clock after it started showing the wrong time...and more
Tuesday 16th April

A new operator has been found to run a Chard care home that has been at risk of closure. A licence has been granted to run a new music festival in West Dorset. People have until midnight tonight to register for a vote in the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset...and more.
Monday 15th April

Four people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the illegal supply of prescription-only drugs in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court in connection with two burglaries in Langport. A well-known farm and restaurant business in South Petherton has been put up for sale. New figures have shown a further decline in the number of House Sparrows in Somerset...and more.